Went for a ride today and went down on a wet root in a downhill turn. Tire is screwed and now I have to have a new one. My question is do I buy another Alex Z1000 that came on my Hardrock or get a WTB All Mountain. The stock wheel is around 40 and the WTB is between 70 and 90. Don't mind paying for the wheel if the upgrade will be worth it.

Spring for the better wheel. It will last longer. I have recently learned this lesson with a cheap hub. You get what you pay for. If you plan to ride a lot-invest in your equipment. You will reap the benefits in the long run.

^^^ Agree. Good wheels last longer, stay "true" longer, take more abuse, etc. Look at it this way, you can either buy a $40 wheel, break it, and need another $40 wheel (and break it again) or you can buy an $80 wheel and have it last 2x, 3x, maybe 4-10x longer. In the long run the pricey wheel is cheaper*.

* To a point. There is a trade off point where you aren't getting more reliability for your money, but I don't know where that is. $100? $300? $500?